The use of technology is beneficial in teaching practice as it facilitates learning and helps in addressing different students’ needs. Educators often combine the use of slides (or other digital forms) with more traditional resources, such as a whiteboard (Jethd, 2018). By using PowerPoint presentations, teachers may enhance students’ attention and motivation to be engaged and responsive (NAEYC, 2018; Well-Trained Mind, 2018). The presentation in question facilitated the provision of effective instructions, and the students in the small group responded positively. They were active during the discussion and seemed confident and motivated. The use of a positive approach is another strength as the teacher does not concentrate on the error but tries to understand the strategy utilized to come up with this or that answer (SAS Design Studio, 2016). These strategies the children use deserve the educator’s attention as they can use these patterns to make the material more understandable.
Next time, I would pay more attention to dividing items into halves. It is easier for students to start by dividing into halves (Nine PBS, 2020). Some found it difficult to make equal parts, which led to the learner’s considerable discomfort. To modify the instruction, I could add a slide displaying the ways to double-check whether parts are equal. During the provision of instructions, the students were encouraged to be more engaged by focusing on their victories. As for the feedback related to wrong answers, the students were asked about the strategies they used to do the sums or solve the problem. The teacher mentioned the correct answer, and one of the students saw this as a type of criticism and felt demotivated. As to the possible revisions of the lesson plan, it is necessary to help students grasp the material more effectively and have a more positive attitude towards their wrong answers. If a student makes a mistake, he or she can feel discouraged and unwilling to participate further. Hence, the educator should find the exact words and activities that could make all students motivated and positive. It is possible to praise the student for inventing a new strategy and encourage the group to try this method in their calculations. Children, feeling that their input is also meaningful, stop concentrating on any negative issues and are willing to take an active part in the discussion.
References
jethd. (2018).Eureka math 3rd grade lesson [Video]. YouTube. Web.
NAEYC. (2018). Webinar: Playful math—How to teach essential concepts with fun mathematical games[Video]. YouTube. Web.
Nine PBS. (2020).Fractions 3 | 3rd grade math | Teaching in room 9 [Video]. YouTube. Web.
SAS Design Studio. (2016). Differentiating mathematics instruction[Video]. YouTube. Web.
Well-Trained Mind. (2018). How to teach multiplication facts that stick[Video]. YouTube. Web.